Centrifugal force machine

ABSTRACT

An exercise device including one or more rotatable members that allow a user to perform various exercises with a broad freedom of motion.

FIELD

This invention relates generally to exercise devices. More particularly, this invention relates to exercise devices for cooperating with free weights and weight stacks.

BACKGROUND

Weightlifting machines are available for various exercises to reduce or eliminate the need for a spotter. However, such machines lack the broad range of motion necessary to accommodate a user for use with a variety of unrelated exercises used to work various portions of a user's body. What is needed, therefore, is a machine capable of eliminating the need for a spotter while, at the same time, allowing for a broad range of motion for various exercises using a single exercise device.

SUMMARY

The above and other needs are met by an exercise device machine that allows for a broad range of motion using a plurality of exercise techniques. In a preferred embodiment, the exercise device is configured for use with free weights or selectively engagable plate weight stacks for various arm exercises. However, it will be understood that the invention may also be adapted for a variety of other resistance sources and exercises for working the chest, back, legs, abs, and other body features.

In one embodiment, the exercise device includes a base member, an elongate first guide member (including a first guide member base end pivotally connected to the base member), a slide member movable along the first guide member, an attachment structure connected to the slide member, and a resistance interaction structure for providing resistance to the movement of the slide member along the first guide member. During exercise a user urges the slide member along the first guide member, with the connection between the first guide member base end and the base permitting pivotal movement of the first guide member relative to the base.

A similar embodiment further includes a stabilizing structure connected to the slide member for inhibiting pivotal movement of the slide member relative to the first guide member. During exercise a user urges the slide member along the first guide member, with the stabilizing structure inhibiting pivotal movement of the slide member relative to the first guide member and the connection between the first guide member base end and the base permitting pivotal movement of the first guide member relative to the base.

In another embodiment, the exercise device includes a base member, an elongate first guide member (including a first guide member base end connected to a lower pivot member, wherein the pivot member is pivotally connected to the base), a slide member movable along the first guide member, an attachment structure connected to the slide member, a stabilizing structure connected to the slide member for inhibiting pivotal movement of the slide member relative to the first guide member, an elongate first weight rail including a first weight rail base end connected to the lower pivot member, and a resistance interaction structure including a weight carriage movable along the first weight rail for providing resistance to the movement of the slide member along the first guide member. During exercise a user urges the slide member along the first guide member, with the stabilizing structure inhibiting pivotal movement of the slide member relative to the first guide member and the connection between the lower pivot member and the base permitting pivotal movement of the first guide member and the second guide member relative to the base.

In a preferred embodiment, the exercise device includes a base member, an elongate first guide member (including a first guide member base end connected to a lower pivot member, wherein the pivot member is pivotally connected to the base), a slide member movable along the first guide member, an attachment structure connected to the slide member, an elongate second guide member, a stabilizing member movable along the second guide member and connected to the slide member for inhibiting pivotal movement of the slide member relative to the first guide member, an elongate first weight rail including a first weight rail base end connected to the lower pivot member, an elongate second weight rail including a second weight rail base end connected to the lower pivot member, a resistance interaction structure including a weight carriage movable along the first weight rail and the second weight rails for providing resistance to the movement of the slide member along the first guide member, and a pulley system selectively connectable to the slide member and the weight carriage. The slide member is selectively engagable with the weight carriage by the use of a removable engagement member. In this embodiment, the engagement member preferably remains engaged when the pulley system is not in use; the engagement member is removed during exercises in which the pulley system is in use. During exercise a user urges the slide member along the first guide member, with the stabilizing structure inhibiting pivotal movement of the slide member relative to the first guide member and the connection between the lower pivot member and the base permitting pivotal movement of the first guide member and the second guide member relative to the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages of the invention are apparent by reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the figures, which are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of the invention including a first guide member.

FIG. 2 a front view of an embodiment of the invention including a first guide member and a supplemental first guide member.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of an embodiment of the invention including a first guide member and a second guide member.

FIG. 4 shows a slight perspective side view of an embodiment of the invention including a first guide member, a second guide member, a first weight rail, and a second weight rail.

FIG. 5 shows a frontal side view of an embodiment of the invention including a first guide member, a second guide member, a first weight rail, and a second weight rail.

FIG. 6 shows a weight carriage as used in some embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, the invention relates to an exercise device 10 having a base member 12 and an elongate first guide member 14 including a first guide member base end 16. The first guide member base end 16 is pivotally connected to the base member 12 by a lower pivotal connector 17 such that the first guide member 14 is rotatable from about 15 degrees to about 180 degrees and, more preferably, about 360 degrees in either direction R or direction S about imaginary axis Z. For example, the lower pivotal connector 17 may include a bearing surface or a turntable or other pivotable connection configured to permit the desired pivotal movement and range of motion.

The exercise device 10 also includes a slide member 18 that is movable along the first guide member 14, an attachment structure 20 for attaching an exercise engagement member, and, preferably, a stabilizing structure 22 for inhibiting pivotal movement of the slide member 18 along the first guide member 14. The exercise device 10 also includes a resistance interaction structure 24 for providing resistance to the movement of the slide member 18 along the first guide member 14. An example of slide member 18 may include a linear bearing or other similar structure known to those skilled in the art.

During exercise, a user urges the slide member 18 along the length of the first guide member 14. Depending on the type of exercise motion employed by said user, the first guide member 14 freely rotates about imaginary axis Z, rotating in concert with said user's motion. The stabilizing structure 22, if present, impedes rotary motion of the slide member 18 relative to the first guide member 14, thereby minimizing undesired rotation of the slide member 18 relative to the first guide member 14. The stabilizing structure 22 is not a necessary element of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, however. The stabilizing structure 22 may include any mechanical structure for impeding rotation of an object about an elongate member known to those skilled in the art. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the stabilizing structure 22 includes a stabilizing extension member 26 and a stabilizing wheel 28 which provides frictional resistance to relative rotary motion, but does not interfere with movement of the slide member 18 along the length of the first guide member 14.

The attachment structure 20 may be any structure known to those skilled in the art for attaching an exercise engagement member to the slide member 18. For example, the attachment structure 20 may include a handle, a ring, a bolt, a clip, or other similar structure. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the attachment structure includes a pivot pin 30 pivotally connected to a hinge member 32. The pivot pin 30 includes a pop pin 34 for ejecting an exercise engagement member from the pivot pin 30. An exercise engagement member is any exercise appendage such as a cable and handgrip, a rope for pulling, a bar for pulling or pushing, or any other similar exercise appendage used at workout stations known to those skilled in the art. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the resistance interaction structure 24 also includes a weight accumulation extension member for adding free weights to the slide member 18.

FIG. 2 shows exercise device 36 including a supplemental first guide member 14′ including a supplemental first guide member base end 16′ pivotally connected to the base member 12 by a lower pivotal connector 17′. The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 also includes a supplemental slide member 18′, a supplemental attachment structure 20′, a supplemental resistance interaction structure 24′ in the form of a weight accumulation extension member, and, preferably, a supplemental stabilizing structure 22′. The exercise device 36 allows for a user to perform exercises that require resistance from two separate points in space such as a lower fly exercise. As shown in FIG. 2, slide member 18 and slide member 18′ are rotationally independent of one another.

FIG. 3 shows an exercise device 38 including elongate first guide member 14 (including a first guide member base end 16), a second guide member 40 (including a second guide member base end 42), the slide member 18, and an attachment structure in the form of a ring 41. The first guide member base end 16 and the second guide member base end 42 are connected to a lower pivot member 44. The lower pivot member 44 is pivotally connected to the base member 12 by the pivotal connector 17 such that the lower pivot member 44 is rotatable from about 15 degrees to about 180 degrees and, more preferably, about 360 degrees in either direction R or direction S about imaginary axis Z.

Exercise device 38 also includes a stabilizing structure that, in this embodiment, is in the form of an engagement member 46 for selectively connecting the slide member 18 to a resistance interaction structure that, in this embodiment, includes a weight carriage 48. The engagement member 46 is engagable with the slide member 18 at first engagement port 47 and may, for example, be a bolt or a pin. Engagement member 46 is further engagable with the weight carriage 48 at second engagement port 49. By connecting the slide member 18 to the weight carriage 48 using the engagement member 46, any exercise that moves slide member 18 along the length of the first guide member 14 will also move the weight carriage 48 and any weight thereon along the length of second guide member 40. The connection between the slide member 18 and the weight carriage 48 also provides stability, keeping the slide member 18 from rotating about the first guide member 14. The weight carriage 48 in this embodiment further includes a weight stack 50 including a plurality of weight plates, an elongate core member 52 oriented vertically along the weight stack 50, and a selection pin 54 for insertion along the weight stack 50 and the core member 52 to engage at least a portion of the plurality of weights along the weight stack 50 with the core member 52. Though a specific weight stack structure is described herein for illustration, those skilled in the art appreciate that any known weight stack system may be used with various embodiments of the invention described herein.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show yet another embodiment including an exercise device 100 with a first guide member 102 (including first guide member base end 104 and first guide member top end 106), a second guide member 108 (including a second guide member base end 110 and a second guide member top end 112), a first weight rail 114 (including a first weight rail base end 116 and a first weight rail top end 118), and a second weight rail 120 (including a second weight rail base end 122 and a second weight rail top end 124). The first guide member base end 104, the second guide member base end 110, the first weight rail base end 116, and the second weight rail base end 122 are connected to a lower pivot member 126. Similarly, the first guide member top end 106, the second guide member top end 112, the first weight rail top end 118, and the second weight rail top end 124 are connected to an upper pivot member 128, thereby allowing the first guide member 102, the second guide member 108, the first weight rail 114, the second weight rail 120, the lower pivot member 126, and the upper pivot member 128 to act as a single rotatable column.

As with exercise device 38, lower pivot member 126 is pivotally connected to the base 12 by the pivotal connector 17 such that the lower pivot member 126 is rotatable from about 15 degrees to about 180 degrees and, more preferably, about 360 degrees in either direction R or direction S about imaginary axis Z. In a preferred embodiment, exercise device includes an upper frame member 130, preferably attached to the base member 12, such that the upper pivot member 128 is pivotally connected to the upper frame member 130 by an upper pivotal connector 132. The upper pivotal connector 132 may be substantially identical to the lower pivotal connector 17.

Exercise device 100 also includes a slide member 134 that is movable along the first guide member 102. The slide member 134 includes an attachment structure 136 in the form of a latch. However, the attachment structure 136 may be any structure known to those skilled in the art for attaching an exercise engagement member to the slide member 134 including a handle, a ring, a bolt, a clip, or other similar structure. An exercise engagement member is any exercise appendage such as a cable and handgrip, a rope for pulling, a bar for pulling or pushing, or any other similar exercise appendage used at workout stations known to those skilled in the art.

A stabilizing structure 138 in the form of a sliding stabilizer that is movable along the second guide member 108 and connected to the slide member 134. The stabilizing structure 138 prevents the slide member 134 from rotating about the first guide member 102 during exercises in which a user urges the slide member 134 downward toward the first guide member base end 104.

Exercise device 100 includes weight carriage 140 as well as a pulley system 142. The pulley system 142 further includes first pulley wheel 144, second pulley wheel 146, and elongate strand 148 (including first strand end 150 selectively connectable to the weight carriage and second strand end 152 selectively connectable to the slide member 134). Strand 148 may include a cable, a strap, a rope, or any other similar elongate material or materials that may be used along one or more pulley wheels. The weight carriage 140 preferably includes a core member 154 and a top plate 156. Weight carriage 140 also includes a first guide port 158 along the first weight rail 114 and a second guide port 160 along the second weight rail 120. The core member 154, the top plate 156, the first guide port 158 and the second guide port 160 are preferably welded together as shown in FIG. 6. However, other attachment means known to those skilled in the art may be used to attach the parts of the weight carriage 140.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a plurality of weights 162 are arranged along the first weight rail 114 and the second weight rail 120. All or a portion of weights 162 may be selectively engaged with the weight carriage 140 by engaging a pin 164 with all or a portion of the weights 162 and the core member 154. Although a preferred embodiment for a weight system to be used with this embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 4-6, those skilled in the art appreciate that many other conventional weight stack systems and structures may be used in various embodiments of the invention as described herein. For example, an alternative embodiment may include only one weight rail instead of two (i.e., first weight rail 114 and second weight rail 120).

Exercise device 100 is well suited for exercises in which a user urges slide member 134 from a position closer to the first guide member top end 106 to a position closer to the first guide member base end 104. However, exercise device 100 could also be used for exercises in which a user urges slide member 134 from a position closer to the first guide member base end 104 to a position closer to the first guide member top end 106. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an engagement member 166 is engagable with the slide member 134 at a first engagement port 168. Engagement member 166 is further engagable with the weight carriage 140 at a second engagement port 170. When using the engagement member 166, it will be understood that the strand 148 is not used (e.g., the strand second end 152 is disconnected from the slide member 134).

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first pulley wheel 144 and the second pulley wheel 146 are connected to the upper pivot member 128, and the strand 148 extends across both the first pulley wheel 144 and the second pulley wheel 146. Though two pulley wheels are used in this embodiment, any number of pulley wheels or strands may be combined in any manner known to those skilled in the art to connect the weight carriage 140 to the slide member 134 to allow for resistance to movement of slide member 134 along the length of first guide member 102 in either an upward direction or a downward direction.

In addition to the specific embodiments described herein, other embodiments—variations of the embodiments described above—exist that include supplemental structures similar to the dual structure shown in FIG. 2. Additionally, a resistance interaction structure used in various embodiments of this invention is not meant to be limited to mounted free weights, stacked plate weights, or pulley systems. Any apparatus capable of creating resistance with respect to the movement of slide member 18, 18′, or 134 along first guide member 14, 14′, or 102, including elastic tension bands or other similar structures, that also allow for the free rotation of first guide member (or lower pivot member) as described in various embodiments above, will suffice. Those skilled in the art also appreciate that additional guide members may be used in other embodiments of the invention. For example, weight carriage 48 in FIG. 3 may move along two guide members instead of one.

The foregoing description of preferred embodiments for this invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled. 

1. An exercise device, comprising a. a base member; b. an elongate first guide member including a first guide member base end pivotally connected to the base member; c. a first pivotal connector connected to the first guide member base end and pivotally connected to the base member; d. a slide member movable along the first guide member; e. an attachment structure connected to the slide member for attaching an exercise engagement member; and f. a resistance interaction structure for providing resistance to the movement of the slide member along the first guide member, wherein during exercise a user urges the slide member along the first guide member, with the connection between the first pivotal connector and the base member permitting pivotal movement of the first guide member relative to the base member.
 2. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising a stabilizing structure connected to the slide member for inhibiting rotational movement of the slide member relative to the first guide member.
 3. The exercise device of claim 1 wherein the resistance interaction structure comprises at least one weight accumulation extension member extending from the slide member for attaching one or more free weights to the slide member.
 4. The exercise device of claim 1, further comprising a. a supplemental first guide member including a supplemental first guide member base end pivotally connected to the base member; b. a supplemental slide member movable along the supplemental first guide member; c. a supplemental first pivotal connector connected to the supplemental first guide member base end and pivotally connected to the base member; d. a supplemental attachment structure connected to the supplemental slide member for attaching an exercise engagement member; and e. a supplemental resistance interaction structure for providing resistance to the movement of the supplemental slide member along the supplemental first guide member, wherein during exercise a user urges the supplemental slide member along the supplemental first guide member, with the connection between the supplemental first pivotal connector and the base member permitting pivotal movement of the supplemental first guide member relative to the base member.
 5. An exercise device, comprising a. a base member; b. an elongate first guide member including a first guide member base end; c. a first pivot member connected to the first guide member base end; d. a first pivotal connector connected to the first pivot member and pivotally connected to the base member; e. a slide member movable along the first guide member; f. an attachment structure connected to the slide member for attaching an exercise engagement member; g. an elongate first weight rail including a first weight rail base end connected to the first pivot member; and h. a resistance interaction structure including a weight carriage movable along the first weight rail, the resistance interaction structure for providing resistance to the movement of the slide member along the first guide member, wherein during exercise a user urges the slide member along the first guide member, with the connection between the first pivotal connector and the base member permitting pivotal movement of the first pivot member relative to the base member.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a stabilizing structure connected to the slide member for inhibiting rotational movement of the slide member relative to the first guide member.
 7. The stabilizing structure of claim 5, further comprising an engagement member for selectively connecting the slide member to the weight carriage to engage the resistance interaction structure with the slide member.
 8. The stabilizing structure of claim 5, further comprising: a. an elongate second guide member including a second guide member base end; and b. a slide member stabilizer movable along the second guide member and connected to the slide member for inhibiting rotational movement of the slide member relative to the first guide member.
 9. The weight carriage of claim 7, further comprising: a. a weight stack including a plurality of weight plates; b. an elongate core member oriented vertically along the weight stack, selectively engagable with the engagement member; and c. a selection pin for insertion along the weight stack and the core member to physically engage at least a portion of the plurality of weights along the weight stack with the core member.
 10. The exercise device of claim 8, further comprising: a. a weight stack including a plurality of weight plates; b. an elongate core member oriented vertically along the weight stack, selectively engagable with the engagement member; c. a selection pin for insertion along the weight stack and the core member to physically engage at least a portion of the plurality of weights along the weight stack with the core member; and a pulley system connecting the slide member to the weight carriage, whereby the weight carriage provides resistance to the downward movement of the slide member along the first guide member.
 11. The exercise device of claim 10, further comprising an elongate second weight rail including a second weight rail base end connected to the first pivot member.
 12. The exercise device of claim 6, further comprising a second pivot member connected to a first guide member top end and a first weight rail top end.
 13. The exercise device of claim 8, further comprising a second pivot member connected to a first guide member top end, a first weight rail top end, and a second guide member top end.
 14. The pulley system of claim 13 further comprising: a. a first pulley wheel connected to the second pivot member; b. a second pulley wheel connected to the second pivot member; and c. an elongate strand located along the first pulley wheel and the second pulley wheel, wherein the strand includes a first strand end and a second strand end, and wherein the first strand end is selectively connectable to the weight carriage and the second strand end is selectively connectable to the slide member.
 15. The pulley system of claim 12 wherein the first strand end is attached to the weight carriage and the second strand end is attached to the slide member.
 16. The exercise device of claim 11, further comprising a second pivot member connected to a first guide member top end, a second guide member top end, a first weight rail top end, and a second rail top end.
 17. The exercise device of claim 10 further comprising an engagement member for selectively connecting the slide member stabilizer to the weight carriage to engage the weight carriage.
 18. The exercise device of claim 16, further comprising: a. a frame member; and b. a second pivotal connector, wherein the second pivot member is pivotally connected to the frame member.
 19. The exercise device of claim 18 wherein the frame member is attached to the base member.
 20. The exercise device of claim 19, further comprising a. a supplemental elongate first guide member including a supplemental first guide member base end; b. a supplemental first pivot member connected to the supplemental first guide member base end; c. a supplemental first pivotal connector connected to the supplemental first pivot member and pivotally connected to the base member; d. a supplemental slide member movable along the supplemental first guide member; e. a supplemental attachment structure connected to the supplemental slide member for attaching an exercise engagement member; f. a supplemental stabilizing structure connected to the supplemental slide member for inhibiting rotational movement of the supplemental slide member relative to the supplemental first guide member; g. an elongate supplemental first weight rail including a supplemental first weight rail base end connected to the supplemental first pivot member; and h. a supplemental resistance interaction structure including a supplemental weight carriage movable along the supplemental first weight rail for providing resistance to the movement of the supplemental slide member along the supplemental first guide member, wherein during exercise a user urges the supplemental slide member along the supplemental first guide member, with the supplemental stabilizing structure inhibiting rotational movement of the supplemental slide member relative to the supplemental first guide member and the connection between the supplemental first pivotal connector and the base member permitting pivotal movement of the supplemental first pivot member relative to the base member. 